The Teacher of the Year program was created to recognize exemplary public school educators — Oregon teachers who inspire students and make a positive impact in the communities in which they live. The award celebrates knowledge, dedication, innovation and leadership. Exceptional teachers will be honored in up to 19 regions across the state, each awarded $1,000, with Oregon’s Teacher of the Year selected from among the regional semi-finalists and awarded $10,000.

“Now more than ever, we need powerful educators like these,” said Dr. Charlene Williams, Director of the Oregon Department of Education. “Each Regional Teacher of the Year has earned this recognition because they champion every student, uplifting and empowering them to achieve, to create, and to feel a sense of belonging not only in the classroom, but in the wider world, as well. Students and families in Oregon are fortunate to have teachers like these whose inspiring contributions create lasting impacts that ripple out into their communities and beyond.”

For the 2024-2025 school year, FIVE of the 18 awardees are from the East Cascades region, and we could not be prouder to support these educators. The regional teachers of the year from our region include:

• Christa Rohrbach, Jefferson County Middle School, Madras
  • “Creating a culture of belonging is something I take very seriously and endeavor to do in any task I take on.”
• Deborah Watts, Arthur D. Hay Elementary School, Lakeview
  • “I strong support the arts and hands-on-learning to enhance my students’ confidence levels and to insure active involvement in their learning.”
• Debra Sayre, Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council, La Pine
  • “I choose to set our students up for success by using their individual backgrounds, experiences, and goals.”
• Dennis Starr, Spray High School, Spray
  • “We try to promote a comfortable and safe environment of respect for each other in and out of the classroom.”
• Yesenia Marquez-Barragan, Chenowith Elementary School, The Dalles
  • “As a dual language teacher, I believe that it’s my responsibility to build a foundation that emphasizes the importance of belonging and celebrates student’s various cultures and identities.”

Learn more about all of these inspirational educators here. Congratulations to all of these teachers!